Legislation Increased Medicare Telestroke Billing, But Underbilling And Erroneous Billing Remain Common

Health Affairs: Legislation Increased Medicare Telestroke Billing, But Underbilling And Erroneous Billing Remain Common

A recent study by Health Affairs found that the Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine (FAST) Act, which permanently expanded Medicare payment for telemedicine consultations for acute stroke (“telestroke”) from delivery only in rural areas to delivery in both urban and rural areas, saw an increase in Medicare telestroke billing. However, only a minority of hospitals had ever billed for that service. This study suggests there is consistent confusion among providers regarding payment billing requirements. Researchers highlighted that as Congress considers options for Medicare telemedicine payment after the COVID-19 pandemic, simplified payment rules would help ensure that expanded reimbursement achieves its intended impact.